Bishop Bikes Di2 Commuter

From the looks of things, Baltimore’s Chris Bishop’s latest customer is a tall dude, which makes him a perfect candidate for a custom frame. It also looks as though Chris Bishop’s customer has an eye for quality bikes, because when he asked Chris to build him a new commuter, that’s what he got.

Every bike made by Chris Bishop is a sight to behold, and the closer you inspect, there’s more to discover. A commuter is a bike destined to be ridden daily, and with a Bishop, every day’s commute will be a pleasure — both to ride and to look at, absorbing every detail.

Only one shifter is required for this build, as it’s running Shimano’s Alfine drivetrain: an internal rear hub driven by their Di2 electronic shifting system. It’s powered by a Gates carbon belt, which is greaseless and quiet. They’re the ultimate combination in maintenance-free riding.

All of Bishop’s bikes are painted by Bryan Myers of Fresh Frame, another Baltimore local. When it comes to painting a frame, Bryan is just as skilled as Chris is at building them. He doesn’t just slap on some paint. Have a look at that lug lining, it’s flawless.

Chris is well known for his thinned lugs, a technique that elevates a frame from just tubes joined by the lugs into a complete creation. His seat tube clusters are some of the most refined and sculpted you’ll come across, and they’re both tidy and functional.

Bryan also painted the Honjo fenders to match the frame, another nice detail. Chris ran the Di2 wires internally through the frame, along with the brake cables. The frame splitter, located on the seat stay, is a Paragon Machine Works unit, necessary for the single-loop belt.

Up front, Chris used KVA stainless fork blades, hooked into a Son SL generator hub, providing light for late nights. The cranks even rate a mention: they’re NOS Dura-Ace 7400, a retro addition that rounds out a true modern classic by one of America’s best builders.